by T-Mobile - Monday, 3rd September 2007

 Almost a third of office workers believe they would be more inspired if they switched locations
 48% say it would increase their productivity levels
 46% think it would improve their work-life balance
 65% of British office workers believe future office locations will lead to increased flexible working

9 August 2007, London:  Almost a third of workers say they would be more inspired if they worked away from the office, according to research conducted by YouGov for T-Mobile. Over 40% of office workers believe a change in working location would enhance their day-to-day productivity, work life balance and energy levels. The survey highlights the desire amongst workers to move away from traditional office surroundings, which appear to be stifling productivity and creativity.

Given the choice 23% of office workers would like the ability to work from home in the future, with other desirable office locations including working from the top of mountain (4%) or on a beach (3%). Being restricted to one location was a bug-bear for 37% of office workers surveyed – and over half (52%) cited lack of exercise a common side effect of being stuck in front of a PC all day.

The Survival Challenge
Matt Connelly and Darius Pocha, co-founders of Enable Interactive, a digital marketing company offering web-based services to ethical firms, recently undertook the T-Mobile mobility challenge. They were each tasked to work remotely for a week using only the T-Mobile USB modem, a laptop and a Nokia N95 device. Visiting locations ranging from the London Eye to Brighton beachfront and Heathrow Airport to Portishead, they tested the practicalities of true mobile working and the impact it bears upon productivity levels. 

Darius Pocha, Creative Director at Enable Interactive, was keen to investigate whether mobile working could enhance creativity and inspiration.  He says, “I often find being office-bound can stifle creativity – the option to change locations and work flexibly helped improve my energy levels and motivation.  Using the USB modem, I was able to conduct a meeting in Second Life and work from the beach and the zoo - working from this type of location felt like a cross between being at work and on holiday and provided the perfect setting to gain inspiration from my surroundings.”

Matt Connelly, Strategy Director at Enable Interactive, says, “I was keen to find out how mobile working could facilitate access to email and Internet on the move and turn travel time into effective, remote working. During the challenge week, I was able to work from the back of a cab and from a pod in the London Eye. Using my laptop and USB modem I could easily catch up on emails, stay in regular contact with my colleagues, upload pictures on to Facebook and even update my blog remotely. Being equipped with the right mobile devices actually extended my working day and meant I was more accessible to colleagues and clients.”

Future technology
When asked about their ideal working environment, a number of respondents indicated the potential of wireless working – being able to log on to their work VPN (Virtual Private Network) and work from any location they choose (from their own back garden to the sea front) would be some of the qualities boasted by an ideal working environment. Closely tied with this is a prediction that working away from the office will be made easier thanks to improving technology, and increasing popularity of virtual meetings.

Derek Williamson, Head of Business Marketing, T-Mobile UK, says, “There is a strong desire amongst British office workers to move away from the traditional 9am – 6pm working day, restricted to a fixed environment.  The survey findings show that 65% of workers would like flexible working options in the future. The ability to change locations, or work from home when appropriate, can enhance productivity, motivation levels and general wellbeing. Providing staff with the right technology and services to work effectively on the move means they can gain inspiration from new surroundings and make better use of unproductive deadtime. Ultimately, a happier workforce means a more productive workforce, which can have significant benefits on an organisation’s bottom line.”

Tags: office stifles productivity, flexible working options, mobile usb modem, enhance productivity, yougov,